Be assertive at work and make impact

February 24, 2016
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People who are poised, confident and emphatic always attain their work objectives. Such people are invariably candid in their expressions. Because they speak whatever they think, they make certain that others listen to them. On the other hand, there are others who fumble and lack assertiveness; more often than not, they just do not succeed in their careers. Statistics indicate that people who are fearful, uncommunicative and unforthcoming make their weak strength of mind known to all and sundry. Lamentably and disappointingly, there are many men and women who try to be forceful but unintentionally violate established norms of propriety and in the process alienate others. Quite a few people also tend to break the rules to the extreme.

It is essential that at work, you do not go to the extremes. You should know how to be firm and remain confident without overegging the pudding. You have to find a middle ground to trudge on. Here is how you can achieve all this:

No ambiguity in what seek to convey:

Self-assuredness and determination gyrates around the manner in which you make your opinion known to others. If there is any element of imprecision in your communications, you are likely to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. You need to reflect on what you intend to convey before opening your mouth, unless you have mastery over thinking fast and speaking accordingly. If your thought process is clear and if you have think before speaking, your communication will be assertive and ardent; and you will make the desired impact always.

Don’t beat around the bush: The easiest way to subdue yourself in the eyes of others is by muddling your conversation with unwarranted and superfluous data or tidings. You thus compel others to disengage themselves from the scene and your articulations. If they sense that you are go off at a tangent, their minds will start reflecting on other matters and you are most likely to be regarded as insignificant and unimportant. Therefore, the earlier you come to the crux of any conversation, the more firm and forceful will you be considered.

Be brief & to the point: The process of envisaging and reflecting is different from that of a conversation. You may have no doubts about an issue. It is possible that all facts are clear hi your mind, but when you try putting them across, you are unable to do so. Therefore, you must practice whatever you are required to speak so that you communicate in a precise, succinct and crisp manner. If you do this, you will not take recourse to the use of unclear and distasteful jargon that makes your delivery low and crude.

Remember you will improve as you get to know yourself more and more. And should you speak in a manner that tends to reduce the importance of whatever you say, your entire communication process will take a severe beating. Use of words to unnecessarily qualify words will portray an impression of not being well-versed with the subject; it may also indicate to others that you are not interested in it either. Use of apologetic language should be avoided as it conveys an impression of being guarded, unclear and unscrupulous. Last but not the least, you must refrain from using excessive interrogative speech because it will project you as wary of oneself.

Be easily heard: Many people are overly gentle and their personalities are often misunderstood because of a virtual lack of an impact. Weak tones are taken as signs of apprehension and foot dragging and this impression will gain legitimacy if people were to ask you to repeat whatever you have said. Furthermore, it will also be concluded that you are masking some facts; but if you speak loudly, you will be seen as forceful and confident. However, you need not shout lest. you are seen as very aggressive and loudmouthed. It should be your Endeavour that you are audible to everybody and if you see yourself winded, taking a pause or stopping for a while or drinking water is totally permissible.

Have faith in yourself: It is extremely important that you have full trust in yourself and what you speak. You ought to be powerful in your speech and you can do so effortlessly and instinctively by being fervent and convinced about your views. If you want to be a witness to your decided self, you must talk about an issue that is close to your heart and for which you harbor an intense certitude.

You must put yourself under self-observation and also open your ears to yourself when you do so and take note of how you connect with others, you will discern newer methods to put your communication skills to practice. Assertiveness means being optimistic, confident and constructive. It implies sanguinity and certainty of your thoughts, views and skills; and expressing them in the service of our principles. Assertiveness is an upbeat form of forcefulness and helps to resist undesirable or upsetting impacts. If we are assertive, we think for ourselves; ask for what we require; and speak up to safeguard ourselves and others. Remember that assertiveness is not what you do, it is who you are!